I loved being able to fish with you guys. Can’t wait for the next time!
Pearisburg, Virginia Project
Lead Mentor: Zach Smith
Co-Lead Mentor: Randy Jewell
Project location: Pearisburg, Virginia
Year project founded: 2020
Mentors on this team: 15
Children mentored to date: 17
Children to be mentored in 2024: 8
Local foster care partners: CASA, Intercept, DSS
Local companies that support this project: Community support, local county donations.
Apply to Mentor Here!
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Pearisburg, Virginia Project
I know for me fishing is a way of getting away from it all and relaxing, and I hope it can be the same for these children and a way to show them people care and they can achieve great heights through the skills they learn fly fishing.
Project Mentors
ZACHARY SMITH, LEAD MENTOR
Pearisburg, Virginia
I live in Southwestern, VA and have lived here most of my life. Fishing and outdoors has been a passion of mine since I was little. I have fished for most of my life. I started fly fishing over five years ago and fly tying over a year ago. I love being outdoors and fishing is just one of the many activities that I love and have a passion for in the outdoors. It is a way for me to get out and relax at the end of day and be in nature. I am currently an Attorney because I have to pay for all of my hobbies including being an avid fisherman. I have worked with many foster children in the Court systems and look forward to sharing the love of fishing with them.
RANDY JEWELL, CO-LEAD MENTOR
Peterstown, West Virginia
Growing up in Southern West Virginia Randy spent most of his days outside fishing, hunting, and enjoying the mountains. Spending most of his early years learning to fish for bass with his father off the back of a bass boat solidified his love for chasing fish of any species. Fly fishing came later as a teenager, and fly tying came soon after. Fishing for trout proved to be a much more challenging thrill. Being in the water with the fish, not to mention the discriminating palette of the trout made seeking a bite that much more exciting. Experiencing fly fishing for trout in cold mountain streams with a hand-tied fly connects your soul with nature in a way few things ever could. After marrying his wife Jessica who taught public school for ten years he began to see how important it was to be a light in the lives of children. With a brother also being involved in caring for foster children which ultimately led to adoption Randy also saw how love, consistency, and patience could change a life. Randy and his wife have three children and enjoy being outdoors with them whenever possible.
News & Events
TMP’s Curriculum, Spanish Edition!
From our Seattle Project Lead Mentor, Eileen Petralia: "During one of our project years, in the late planning stages, I learned that all of our mentees that registered would all be native Spanish speakers. As myself and some of the mentors had friends in the...
Thank You, Tie-A-Thon Friends!!
Thank you to the Tie-A-Thon!!! The phrase, "many hands make light work," is the core of what TMP stands for and is how we are able to serve so many kids each year. Running The Mayfly Project across the USA and into the United Kingdom takes not only lead...
Boise, 2023 Project Wrap!
“Thank you so much for this. The interaction with the volunteers has been great to watch, and I love how it's much more than just about catching fish, but building character and stewardship. Again, you are all awesome for this!” --Mentee Caregiver, TMP Boise Project...
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Pearisburg, Virginia Project
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